Trump to Appeal to Public in Push for Wall

President plans prime-time address, border visit in bid to mobilize public opinion in shutdown standoff

President Trump and prominent Democrats met Friday to discuss ending the government shutdown, which the president had claimed responsibility to further the cause border security. The talks were described by the president as productive, but the Democrats disagreed. Photo: AP

WASHINGTON—The White House is stepping up its efforts to sway public opinion in favor of President Trump’s border wall as it seeks to blunt the impact of the partial government shutdown, now stretching into its third week.

Mr. Trump will deliver a prime-time address and travel to the U.S. border with Mexico this week to make his case—while also working privately with advisers to find a way out of the shutdown without losing face.